Fresh off the plane from Milan, Dzine’s head of furniture
Eric Zimmerman shares his impressions on his top 10 picks from the most
anticipated design event of the year.
1. The ‘Mikado’cupboard, one of Front Design’s latest pieces for Porro,
has a light wood slat structure that lets you catch a glimpse of what is stored inside.
The slanting and staggering of the wood slats gives the cupboard an exotic yet
playful feel, adding a little flair to any austere modern interior.
2. The ‘Helen’ lounge by Flexform is simply a beautifully
crafted chaise. The seat is made of woven leather braided around Flexform’s
trademark sleek nickel-satin frame.
3. ‘Stelle Filanti’ by Venini comprises of a glass pendant
light held in place by a cage-like leather harness. It’s strange beauty makes
it more akin to an artwork than a light fixture.
4. Another Front Design design, the ‘Doodle’ sofa for Moroso
has an intricate pattern quilted in the leather, giving it a quirky yet
luxurious effect.
5. Nendo’s ‘Deep Sea’ shelving for Glasitalia features glass
shelves in deeper and deeper gradations of blue, creating the effect of looking
down into a large body of water. This piece really captures Nendo’s quintessentially
Japanese minimalist beauty.
6. Modeled on the ‘Quattroporte’ by the famous Italian car manufacturer,
the ‘Maserati’ chair by Zanotta breathes comfort and luxury.
7. ‘Mate’ by A+B for Living Divani is a versatile chair cum
ladder cum clothes valet, which could find its place in any interior with its
discreet but distinct personality.
8. ‘Aim’, by the Bouroullec brothers for Flos, is an adjustable
pendant light which can be tilted in all different directions. An interesting
piece on its own, it looks particularly animated in groups.
9. A highlight of the fair year after year, Paola Lenti’s
presentation of their outdoor furniture collection with a palazzo backdrop is a
sight for sore eyes. Their vibrant rope finishes create fields of color in all
kinds of comfortable looking variations.
10. The real showstopper of this year’s Milan fair however was
undoubtedly the Moooi presentation on via Savona. A juxtaposition of vignettes,
each one more lavish than the next, the space was filled with quirky out-of-scale
accessories, dripping with gold and delicate pendant lights and adorned with
wall-covering photos by Erwin Olaf.
by Claire Toussaint
